Memphis teen asks to help man with groceries, and his life changes forever

Updated: Jun 27, 2016 - 5:05 PM

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A South Memphis teen has lived a challenging life so far. But thanks to the kindness of a complete stranger, things are turning around.

Chauncy Jones Black is 15. His story came to light when he met a man named Matt White on June 10. Matt documented their meeting on Facebook and his since set up a GoFundMe account to help the family desperately in need.

The two met at the Kroger at Poplar and Highland. Chauncy walked up and asked if he could help load Matt’s groceries into the car in exchange for a pack of donuts, and that’s where the story really begins.

Matt took the teen into the store and went on a grocery shopping spree. He then drove Chauncy home so he didn’t have to take the bus, and the reality of the boy’s life became more heartbreaking from there.

Chauncy was living with his mother in a house, but they had nothing. No furniture aside from a couch and a couple lamps. No beds; absolutely nothing.

They slept on pads made out of sleeping bags, and their refrigerator was empty.

Matt had given the family food and other groceries, but he wanted to give them hope for a better life moving forward.

Chauncy has big dreams. He is a straight A student, he wants to work, he wants to be productive and he wants to eventually be a business owner.

The problem is, he didn’t really have a chance until now.

Matt set up a GoFundMe account with the idea of raising $250 to buy Chauncy a lawnmower so he could start cutting yards for money. The response has been incredible, and the crowdfunding website has expanded way beyond the initial goal.

$29,000 has been raised so far.

Matt is now working to provide the family with new clothes and belongings to furnish their home. Chauncy literally has not gotten new clothes in three years. It’s a sad situation, and he deserves better.

Matt also wants to help them move out of their current neighborhood, where they have been robbed before and heard gunshots right outside their windows.

Memphians and people around the country have stepped up to help this teen and his mother. The power of social media, and the innate kindness of people, may have saved this young man’s life.